What are the best free software products that improve productivity? [closed]

Question

One of the best compilation of productivity tools for developers -- at least for Windows -- is

Scott Hanselman's Ultimate Developer and Power Users Tool List for Windows

Many, but not all of them, are free.

Google Reader.

No, really.

I use it to read the blogs of tons of great programmers, which is a great learning tool in and of itself.

But, then, when I find a particularly interesting tidbit, I'll tag it and save it for later.

I have different tags for different areas of development, so when I need help or advice in a particular area I go to that tag and I have a treasure trove of applicable advice and code-samples waiting for me.

Obviously everyone's environment is very different, but I use the following all the time and find each of them very useful:

• Subversion http://subversion.tigris.org/
• Xcode http://developer.apple.com/technology/
• Java http://java.sun.com/
• GCC http://gcc.gnu.org/
• NetBeans http://www.netbeans.org/
• PostgreSQL http://www.postgresql.org
• OpenSSL http://www.openssl.org
• OpenSSH http://www.openssh.org
• Apache Project http://www.apache.org/

Of course there are many other products that I use day-to-day, especially the Google products and sites like this, but this list includes things that I use all the time and I think are amazing free packages in their own right.

stackoverflow :-)

Firefox and its extensions.

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

such as:

• Firebug (http://getfirebug.com/)
• Web Developer Toolbar (http://chrispederick.com/work/web-developer/)
• DownThemAll (http://www.downthemall.net/)

(I'm sure there are many, many more)

All currently free of charge and all outstanding:

• putty (ssh client)
• vlc (everything video)
• vmware player (for development servers)
• filezilla (s/ftp client)
• intype (free alpha/beta editor inspired by textmate)
• sketchup (google 3d cad)
• foxit (pdf fu)
• gimp (images)
• gnumeric (nice spreadsheet)
• virtualbox (free and open source virtualization that creates new vm's)
• launchy (awesomeness launcher)
• mysql (just disable UAC to install on Vista, otherwise great)
• MSYS + MinGW (C compiler and gnu basics for Windows)
• pdf creator (print to pdf under windows)
• postgresql (not ideal for intensive use on windows but better SQL standard compliance)
• prism (make desktop apps from web apps)
• r (statistics)
• skype
• tortoiseSVN
• truecrypt
• vim
• winSCP

Has to be said: Emacs.